MINUTES OF COUNTS FAMILY REUNIONS
MINUTES OF 2011 REUNION - AUGUST 7, 2011
Minutes of the 70th Counts Family Reunion, August 7, 2011
The 70th Counts Family Reunion was held on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the Bonanza Family Restaurant in Lebanon, VA. President Raymond Compton presided and gave the Welcome. Billy Sutherland gave the invocation. Jackson Miller led the Pledge of Allegience. The traditional singing of America the Beautiful followed.
Secretary/Treasurer, Gail Marney, read the minutes from the 2010 Reunion and they were approved. The Treasurer's report showed a balance of $758.17.
Raymond reported on the John Counts Cemetery (Cleveland, VA) and indicated that Ann Gray Clements, daughter of Peggy Counts Gray who is buried in the cemetery, volunteered to oversee maintenance of the grounds. She sent letters to families of relatives buried in the cemetery and collected about $1,000. Past Counts Reunions had agreed to assist in the care of this cemetery until all funds were exhausted in 2010. It was voted to send $50 this year and $100 next year to Mrs. Clements to help support the continual care of this cemetery.
Raymond recognized Dewitt Counts who passed on May 1, 2011. His contributions and service as president (eight times) and vice president (four times) at prior Counts Family Reunions were particularly noteworthy. Mr. Counts also attended the first Counts Reunion in 1936 at Cleveland, VA. We also recognized others who have passed away and observed a moment of silence.
Veterans were recognized to included the oldest, Billy Sutherland. He was presented a US flag flown over the US Capitol in Washington, DC. The oldest family member present was Maxine Fuller at 89 years and the youngest was Levi Marney at 11 months. Allen and Gaynor Wagstaffe travelled the furthest from Manchester, England. The largest family attending was Maxine Fuller. All were presented gifts. Many shared old photos, family history, albums, and books.
New Business:
Election: Monika Fleming was elected President replacing Patty Conners who stepped down because of medical problems. Davine Miller was chosen as vice president and Sue Counts, not present, was selected as 2nd Vice President. Gail Marney agreed to continue as Secretary-Tresurer. Gail also will contact Sue Counts to confirm her acceptance to the office of 2nd Vice President.
Discussed ways to advertise/publicize the reunion, including Facebook, family websites and genealogical sites. We will continue the writing contest that was established last year with some minor tweaking and hope to receive some entries next year.
Next's year reunion will see some changes. The reunion will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012 during the afternoon/evening at the Breaks Interstate Park, Shelter #4, by the new cabins. This will allow those travelling on Sunday to have additional time to drive home. There will be a cookout/dinner Saturday evening in and near Shelter #4. Bring a side dish or desert and something to drink. The reunion will cook hamburgers/hot dogs. For those who arrive in the Breaks Park on Friday evening, there will be a hot dog cookout (wiener/marshmellow roast ?) near the cabins. We hope this will increase family attendance. Over 30 people attended this year's reunion.
A total of $133 was collected for the Reunion Fund.
Gail Marney, Secretary-Treasurer
Heading 2
Toy cars, I want more toy cars. Lots and lots of toy cars.Heading 3
12345 CoolStreet Rd.
Somewhereville, ST 12345
Comments
Please send an email for any comments to email@address.com
Email 2
Please send an email for any questions to email2@address.com
Heading 6
Insert Text for Header 6 Here.
Heading 7
Insert Text for Header 7 Here.
